simple pleasures - the gallery

 

 

simple pleasures no. 8 - the kissing couple

This simple little automaton has a rather special place in our collection. It was the very first I bought, a gift for my wife.  It came from the magnificent Cabaret Mechanical Theatre in Covent Garden, now sadly closed for many years.

Rotate the handle in a clock-wise direction and a series of small cogs and spindles spin the couple's heads together then apart. A gentle kiss as the couple great each other before they turn to face the operator of the handle, still embraced in each other's arms.

It makes me feel both romantic and slightly voyeuristic at one and the same time, almost as if I am spying on another couple's simple joy in life!